Knockdown closure.



E. E. & e. F. 003:.

KNOOKDOWN CLOSURE; APPLICATION FILED D30. 10. 1910.

Patented Apr.'4, 1911.

ELMER E. COX AND GEORGE F. COX, OF BAYARD, KANSAS.

KNOCKDOWN CLOSURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 10, 1910. Serial No. 596,635.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that we, Emma E. Cox and GEORGE F. Cox, citizens of the United States, residing at Bayard, in the county of Allen and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Closures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in closures which may be knocked down or separated for shipment in nested condition, and relates more particularly to closures employed for housing poultry, more particularly hens and young chicks, and has for one of its objects to simplify and improve the construction and increase the efliciency and utility of devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character constructed mostly of metal, and which may be readily separated for thoroughly cleansing the parts to retain the structure in sanitary condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily constructed of any suitable size and adapted for various purposes Without material structural change.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is thoroughly ventilated and protected from the elements.

WVith these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims; and, in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved device partly in section; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the movable closures detached.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The improved device comprises a base 10, of any s uitable material and any suitable size, but preferably formed of wood and considerably larger than the superstructure which rests thereon. The base 10 is pro vided with an endless seat or channel 11 in its upper face, conforming in outline to the superstructure of the closure, which may be of any required size, but is preferably circular as shown. The channel 11 is provided with a plurality of connecting grooves 12 which lead therefrom to the outer edge of the base to provide free drainage from the seat.

Bearing upon the base 10 is the main body portion of the structure which is preferably formed from a single sheet of metal 13 with the terminals overlapping, as represented at 14, and united by bolts or other detachable fastening devices 15. The member 13 bears by its lower edge in the seat 11, as shown. The top of the improved structure is formed from a single sheet of metal 16, preferably curving upwardly so that it freely sheds water, and is formed at the margin with an annular seat 17 for hearing over the upper edge of the member 13. At its center the member 16 is provided with a relatively large opening and with the margin of the opening turned upwardly in the form of an annular flange, as shown at 18. Bearing upon the top 16 and surrounding the flange 18 is another and smaller metal strip 19, preferably with the ends overlapping, as shown at 20, and provided with a plurality of relatively large apertures 21. Bearing upon the strip 19 is a closure 22, preferably curving upwardly and secured in position by a tie bolt or other suitable fastening device 23, the lower end of the tie bolt passing through a transverse holding strip 24.- and secured in position by a nut 25. By this means the members 2324 and 25 form an efficient clamping device whereby the three parts 16-19--22 are detachably coupled. The base 10 is provided at suitable intervals with upwardly directed eye bolts 26 and bearing by their lower ends in these eye bolts are the hooked terminals 27 of tie rods 28. Each tie rod is provided at its upper end with a hook 29 for bearing over the margin 17 of the top 16, and each rod is bent intermediate the ends into a plurality of coils 30, which transform the rod into a resilient member, each rod thus holding the member 16 firmly coupled to the base 10 and likewise holding the member 13 firmly between the members 10 and 16.

By this simple means it will be obvious that a simply constructed closure is produced which may be cheaply manufactured and the parts readily assembled and connected. The improved structure may be ar ranged in knocked-down condition by detaching the tie rods 23 and 28 and the conby superposingthem, and the same is true of the members 16. By this means theexpense of shipment is materially decreased, as will be obvious.

When the improved structure is employed.

'' as a coop or housing for hens and chicks,

and for like purposes, the member 18 is pro vided with one or more openings 31, and providing the exterior of the member 13 with guides 82 to receive a slidable closure 33, so that the openings may be closed if required. Generally tWo closures Will be provided for the openings 31, one imperforate, as represented at 33, and a perforated closure 34-, so

that the closure may be readily adapted to the condition of the weather, as will be understood.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Aknock-down closure comprising a base having an annular seat, a side member formed from a single sheet of metal and bearing at the lower edge in said seat, a top bearing upon the upperedge of the side member and provided With a downwardly directed annular depression, means for detachably connecting the terminals of the side member, and fastening means engaging in said annular depression for detachably connecting the top and the base and coupling the top, base and side members.

2. A knock-down closure comprising a base, a side member bearing upon the base and formed from a single strip, means for detachably connecting the ends of said strip, a top bearing upon the side member and provided with a depression at its margin, and fasteningmeans engaging in said depression for detachably connecting the top and base.

3. A knockdown closure comprising a base, a side member bearing upon the base and formed from a single strip, means for detachably connecting the ends of said strip, a top bearing upon the side member and. provided with an opening having an upturned margin, a perforated strip bearing upon said top and surrounding said margin, a closure bearing over said perforated strip, means for connecting said closure to said top, and means for detachably connecting the top and base.

LA knock-down closure comprising a base having an annular seat, a side member formed from a single sheet of metal and bearing at the lower edge in said seat, a top having an annular seat bearing over the upper edge of the side member and provided with a central opening having an upturned margin, a perforated strip bearing upon said top and surrounding said margin, a closure over said perforated strip, means for connecting said closure to said top, means for detachably connecting the terminals of the side members, and means for detachably connecting the top and the base to couple the top, base and side members.

In testimony whereof, We affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

ELMER E. COX. GEORGE F. COX.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Yatents, Washington, I). G.- 

